EHCP meeting tomorrow any advice

JMW77

I have my childs EHCP outcomes meeting tomorrow , does anyone have say questions i should be asking as i know they are going to ask what are my hopes for my daughter but I'm at a loss what to say as obviously it is that she will be given as much support as possible to achieve as much as she can, but they will want me to elaborate on this by giving targets etc and i have no idea what to say.
Anyone else in the same position ? i am trying to get my child into a special school as her communication is a major issue which will be my first target getting help with speech.

Thank you

mumpig

Hi,
I have chaired many of these meetings with parents and many local authority representatives, and how well organized they are can vary enormously, depending on your local authority.



Do you have a social worker or parent partnership advisor who can come along to help and support you who should also have been to many of these meetings-if not dad, grandmother, friend for support? You can take anyone you like if you don’t want to go alone.


The EHCP is a legal document and its detail is very important. Once it is written you will be sent a draft and can challenge or ask for anything you want that you are not happy with to be amended, so this gives you a bit of extra time if you feel you were not really prepared for the meeting or missed something out.


Firstly though I would also like to ask you if your daughter’s school have been invited or have sent a report as the educational contribution to the EHCP-it’s unusual to have these in the school holidays and are often normally hosted at your child’s school-this is important as their assessment of whether she is achieving and making progress could affect the position on getting a special school place. You should be sent copies of all reports submitted to contribute to the EHCP as the local authority will ask for reports from yourself; school and any professionals involved with your daughter e.g. speech & language; occupational therapy; consultant; Ed. Psychologist, social worker etc.


1. If you want your daughter to attend a special school you need to make this request clear and ensure it is minuted and, if possible, name the school you want her to attend-this will make it much easier for you in the long run of getting her a place. The local authority may try to avoid this request due to the increased cost-stand your ground as a named school on an EHCP will mean they more or less have to offer a place unless the school you name is completely unsuitable. If you do not know which special school you want her to attend, still make the request clear and that you will name a school later once the draft is produced.



2. Think about the sections of the EHCP where outcomes can be set. Ideally these are long term outcomes that will last at least a year or even to the end of a key stage, possibly 2-3 years and these are then broken down in to smaller steps and re-set as they are achieved. E.g. “To be able to get undressed independently” will be broken down in to smaller chunks Take off jumper; take off socks and shoes; and so on. Think about what is really important to your daughter and your family and what would improve her quality of life, not just academic achievements but socially. Does she need help to make/maintain friends; interact with peers; understand social norms; access an appropriate peer group etc. Areas usually discussed for outcomes are:
a) Communication and Interaction
b) Cognition and Learning
c) Sensory and/or Physical Needs
d) Social, emotional and mental health


3. Communication-what does your daughter need? Is it help to read; write; develop early language skills; clearer pronunciation or to be taught a complete communication package e.g. PECS/Makaton/use a communication devise? Hard to advise on outcomes here as I do not know your daughters difficulties-but as a basic you need to request she sees a Speech and Language Therapist and what you want her to be able to do e.g. make simple requests for an item she wants e.g. drink; video.



4. Another important area you may want to discuss is social care needs for your daughter. Again as I do not know your circumstances this may not apply or you may be desperate for some help in the home, respite care, time at a short breaks service etc. Again make it clear if you feel you have needs that are not being met by the local authority.



I have added a link to a website that gives a clear guide to the EHCP process although it’s a site for Autism, the process is the same for anyone who is having an EHCP meeting as it outlines the process and your rights and what & how an EHCP should be produced. https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/understanding-autism/education/statements-and-education-health-and-care-plans

Artytarty

I just think this is such a compr hensive and helpful,
Out that it deserves more than a click of the bottom!
People like your restore my faith in humanity.
Edit- good luck OP I hope the meeting for your daughters needs goes the way you would like it to.

mumpig

Thank you Artytarty-much appreciate the comment. It did take me nearly an hour to write!
I've been in too many of these meetings when the parents/carers were not informed of the process prior to the meeting and get walked all over by the local authority or miss the chance to be heard and get the help they need